Community

Kerry Kelton

General Manager/CEO

A Message from Kerry Kelton

“I enjoy working for an electric cooperative for many reasons. Our mission at Mid-South Synergy is greater than providing electricity. It is about our friends, our neighbors, and our community, who motivate us to create a brighter future for all. I am able to use my skills and talents to impact people today and create a better community for the future.”

Meet #YourCrew

Larry Finley

Line Foreman

Clayten Owens

Line Foreman

Jared Anderson

Journeyman Lineman

Brandon Araki

Utility Specialist

Jeremy Rush

Journeyman Lineman

Dale Kimich

Line Foreman

Francisco Reyes

Journeyman Lineman

Jake Bauer

Journeyman Lineman

Tanner Briers

Apprentice Lineman

Paul Park

Electric Operations Supervisor

Cindy Brandt

Member Services Manager

Justin Stapleton

Communications Manager

Mark Finke

Staking Tech Foreman

Josh Turknett

Water Crew Leader

Larry Finley

“For me, I think that being a lineman is not something that everyone wants to or can do. But for the individuals that want to learn a trade that will always be here, this a great line of work. My father and uncle were in the industry their whole lives and it means a lot to me to be able to carry on their legacy and pass on what they taught me. I remember riding around in the trucks with them as a kid as they went from job to job. Line work is just what I do and I’m happy to do it.”

Clayten Owens

“Being a lineman to me is important because, even though people don’t even know when we’re actually working on their lines, or even affected by us, we’re still out there helping them during holidays, bad weather, and making sure people get to stay comfortable with their families, even if it means we get cold, or wet.”

Jared Anderson

“I think being a lineman is so important, because you have a purpose. You’re not just working for you. We have our families, who worry about us and count on us being safe, who make sacrifices so we can keep the lights on for everyone else around us. The last two Christmas’ we pretty much worked all day and didn’t get to be with our families because we were trying to get everyone’s lights back on to help them out. It’s all about giving back and another opportunity to give back to the community.”

“Being a lineman, to me, is so important, because it’s our job to get our members’ electricity back on as quickly as possible.”

“Being a lineman, to me, is important because you get to do things that not many people in this world can do. We also help the community and help people during storms to get their light back on and help emergency personnel whenever they need it. It’s a very rewarding career.”

Dale Kimich

“Being a lineman is important to me because, I get to be outside doing what I enjoy doing, and I’m never in the same place.”

Francisco Reyes

“Being a lineman is important to me because I love it. It feels good to get to help people when they don’t have power. I could be in the same place and I would want someone to restore my power too.”

Jake Bauer

“Being a lineman is important to me because it gives you a really good feeling at the end of the day. We can have a really big storm come through and we’ll work 16-hour days for four days straight and to see the faces on people when we finally get their lights back on and how much they appreciate it, just gives you a really good feeling inside.”

Tanner Briers

“Being a lineman is important to me, because I want to be the best I can be and do the best job that I can do. I enjoy the camaraderie. We don’t do the same thing every day; every day is different.”

Paul Park

“Being a lineman is very important to me because we are the only people that can do what we do. You’ve got some people that can and some people that can’t.”

“I think the thing most important to me about working for an electric cooperative is the sense of pride that it gives you. I remember being at my first Annual Meeting in 2009 when I was hired and they showed a video of the history of Mid-South and I watched the entire video and was amazed at the history of the company and what the company was all about. I remember when the video was over I was like “Wow, I get to be a part of this,” and that’s a really great feeling.”

Justin Stapleton

“To me, working for an electric cooperative might mean more to me than others. I grew up in a family that worked for an electric cooperative, so I had a lot invested in that growing up. My baseball cleats growing up were purchased through a wage that was earned from an electric cooperative, so that was really important to me. Being able to carry on, basically a family tradition, and really invest into another electric cooperative, is really important to me. I enjoy the atmosphere, I enjoy the people, and I enjoy the purpose of what we’re here for. Improving the quality of life for the community surrounding us is really what I enjoy doing.”

Mark Finke

“Working for an electric cooperative is important to me because people depend on the commitment, work ethics, and attention to detail that our family at MidSouth gives to all of our customers. I like being a part of that reputation.”

Josh Turknett

“I like working for Mid-South Synergy because they’re real family oriented. They care a lot about their members and their employees. They have a lot of pride in the work they do. There are not a lot of places out there that will work with you in any kind of situation. If there’s a family problem, they’re going to help you. If you have something you need to take care of, they’re going to help you to get it done. If you’re ever in a bind, they’re willing to go the extra mile to put you in a good position. They’re also good at helping you promote yourself within your career.”